With the 2027 general election drawing nearer, the Labour Party (LP) has made a bold political statement, calling on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his presidential ambition and instead throw his weight behind Peter Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate.

In a statement released on Monday, the party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Afoakwue, said it was time for opposition forces to rally around a single, credible candidate.

The party insists that Peter Obi represents the “overwhelming hope” of ordinary Nigerians, especially the youth, and should not be pressured into stepping down for any political realignment.

“It is unpatriotic and politically unrealistic to expect Mr Peter Obi to step down for anyone,” the statement reads. “If any stepping down is to happen in the interest of unity and progress, it should be from those who have had their turn in Nigeria’s leadership.”

Opposition Realignment Talks Intensify

The Labour Party’s remarks come amid reports of high-level talks between key opposition figures aimed at forming a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

However, LP has made it clear that any such coalition must revolve around Obi, not come at his expense.

“Peter Obi is not just a candidate; he is a symbol of the people’s yearning for a different kind of leadership—accountable, transparent, and visionary,” Afoakwue added.

A Direct Message to Atiku

The party’s statement is widely seen as a direct appeal to Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has not ruled out contesting again in 2027.

Atiku has previously hinted at a willingness to support a younger candidate if the opposition can agree on one, but he has not made any formal commitments.

The LP, however, believes Atiku stepping aside would be a gesture of statesmanship that could unite the opposition and prevent a repeat of the 2023 scenario, where both men ran separately, effectively splitting the vote and allowing the APC to secure victory.

The 2027 Election

As political parties begin laying the groundwork for the 2027 elections, unity among opposition parties is emerging as a central theme.

Many analysts argue that without a clear consensus and collaboration, the opposition stands little chance of unseating the APC.

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For the Labour Party, Obi remains the cornerstone of any viable opposition coalition.

“We cannot go into 2027 repeating the same strategic mistakes. The people want Peter Obi. Any credible effort to defeat the ruling party must recognise this,” Afoakwue concluded.

Looking Ahead

While the PDP has yet to officially respond to the LP’s call, political observers note that the race for 2027 is already shaping up to be a contest not just between parties, but between ideologies and generations.

Whether Atiku will heed the call to step aside remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Peter Obi’s place in the next presidential race is no longer a question of possibility, but of inevitability, at least from the Labour Party’s point of view.